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2005 Chevrolet Silverado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Silverado years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado are substantially higher than the model-year median of 76.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

267 reports with mileage · 49 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports7 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

316 reports
21,500 miles · Sep 3, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

AIRBAG FAILURE IN HEAD-ON COLLISION, TOTALING 2 TRUCKS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201747

69,000 miles · Sep 2, 2007
Electrical System

FIRST THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE STOP WORKING, ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. FLUCTUATES NOW, UP AND DOWN. SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK NOW. STARTED OUT BY READING AROUND 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN SITTING AT A DEAD STOP. THEN STAY STAYED AT 110 MILES AND HOUR WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. DOES NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10201712

17,741 miles · Aug 23, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

2005 SILVERADO WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT**CC THE CONSUMER STATED APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND REALIZED THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE POWER ASSIST WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALER FOR 2 DAYS TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER STAT…

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2005 SILVERADO WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT**CC THE CONSUMER STATED APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND REALIZED THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE POWER ASSIST WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALER FOR 2 DAYS TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHERE HE HAD PREVIOUS WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE SUCH AS STEERING, BUT THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10201385

65,000 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 110 MPH. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILS TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10200489

38,480 miles · Aug 15, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. IT USUALLY FAILS TO OPERATE WHEN DRIVING 65 MPH AND GREATER. HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,488 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,480.

NHTSA ODI #10199713

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2007
Steering

STEERING PROBLEM FREEPLAY OF 1 1/2" OR BETTER AT THE STEERING WHEEL.A CONSTANT CHALLENGE TO KEEP THIS TRUCK BETWEEN THE LINES IN WINDY WEATHER, AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE CHANGED PART AFTER PART WITH NO CHANGE. NOW SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE HYDROBOOST STEERING SYSTEM. GM WONT GO PAST WH…

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STEERING PROBLEM FREEPLAY OF 1 1/2" OR BETTER AT THE STEERING WHEEL.A CONSTANT CHALLENGE TO KEEP THIS TRUCK BETWEEN THE LINES IN WINDY WEATHER, AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE CHANGED PART AFTER PART WITH NO CHANGE. NOW SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE HYDROBOOST STEERING SYSTEM. GM WONT GO PAST WHAT THIS SERVICE MANAGER IS SAYING. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196368

49,161 miles · May 5, 2007
Steering

VERY HARD TO STEER AT LOW RPM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189859

27,500 miles · Feb 18, 2007
Fuel System, Other

DRIVING TRUSTING THE FUEL GAUGE SINCE TRUCK IS FAIRLY NEW. GOT ON THE FREEWAY WITH 3/4 LEFT ON FUEL. LONG STRETCH THROUGH MOUNTAINS. WHEN I GOT TO 1/2 TANK TRUCK STARTED PULLING AND TURNED OFF. NO CELL PHONE SERVICE TO CALL ROADSIDE. WAITED FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS UNTIL HIGHWAY PATROL SHOWED UP AND CALLED ROADSIDE. WHEN…

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DRIVING TRUSTING THE FUEL GAUGE SINCE TRUCK IS FAIRLY NEW. GOT ON THE FREEWAY WITH 3/4 LEFT ON FUEL. LONG STRETCH THROUGH MOUNTAINS. WHEN I GOT TO 1/2 TANK TRUCK STARTED PULLING AND TURNED OFF. NO CELL PHONE SERVICE TO CALL ROADSIDE. WAITED FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS UNTIL HIGHWAY PATROL SHOWED UP AND CALLED ROADSIDE. WHEN TANK WAS FILLED UP ALL THE WAY NEEDLE MARKER WAS WAY OVER THE "F". I THEN READ AN ARTICLE ON WWW.DIESELPLACE.COM SIMILAR PROBLEM ON OTHER TRUCKS. IT SAID TO PULL THE FUSE OUT FOR THE GAUGES FOR 30 SECONDS AND THEN PUT IT BACK ON AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182911

35,000 miles · Feb 15, 2007
Steering

THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE REPLACEMENT WERE NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHILE TURNING. NO FAILURE JUST HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182613

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2007
Exterior Lighting

2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD 2500. DRIVING HEAD LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY CAME ON BY THEMSELVES. VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AT 7:00 PM, RECEIVED A PHONE CALL AT 3:00 AM THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE ON. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN MOVED OR STARTED SINCE IT HAD BEEN PARKED AT 7:00 PM. COULD NOT GET THE LIGHTS TO SHUT OFF. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND SHU…

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2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD 2500. DRIVING HEAD LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY CAME ON BY THEMSELVES. VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AT 7:00 PM, RECEIVED A PHONE CALL AT 3:00 AM THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE ON. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN MOVED OR STARTED SINCE IT HAD BEEN PARKED AT 7:00 PM. COULD NOT GET THE LIGHTS TO SHUT OFF. RESTARTED VEHICLE AND SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND LIGHTS STILL WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE ON BUT NO TAIL LIGHTS. TURNED AUTOMATIC HEAD LIGHT SWITCH O OFF, NOTHING HAPPENED. IT TOOK ABOUT 5 TIMES OF DOING THIS BEFORE THEY FINALLY SHUT OFF. IT SEEMS LIKE IT MAYBE A FAULTY SWITCH. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10181728

Official recalls

8

06V289000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Aug 3, 2006

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V455000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Oct 5, 2005

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

05V161000 · Parking Brake

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

05V055000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator

Feb 14, 2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V043000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 8, 2005

CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

05V018000 · Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector

Jan 21, 2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT TO THE STEERING GEAR MAY NOT MEET SPECIFICATION. THE BOLT MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

04V376000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Aug 2, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.3L (RPO L59) V8 ENGINES, THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE RETAINER SCREWS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TUBE RETAINER SCREW BREAKS, FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER JOINT, THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER SCREWS. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON JULY 30, 2004, WITH A FOLLOWUP OWNER LETTER BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463. NOTE: THE GM BULLETIN LISTS THE TAHOE AND YUKON MODELS BECAUSE CANADIAN VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE BULLETIN. NO U.S. TAHOE OR YUKON VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE U.S. CAMPAIGN.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Chevrolet Silverado problems